Birsa Munda Biography, History, Birth Date, Death, More

Birsa Munda, an Indian tribal independence activist and folk hero from the Munda tribe, vehemently opposed British rule from a young age. Leading uprisings to safeguard tribal rights, he issued a rallying cry for a decisive war against the British after the suppression of the initial uprising in 1895. His celebrated for his late 19th-century activism against British India, particularly through the ‘Ulgulan’ movement, also known as ‘The Great Tumult.’ His notable efforts include challenging Christian missionaries and rebelling against conversion activities, particularly within the Munda and Oraon communities. In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive Birsa Munda biography.

Birsa Munda Biography

Birsa Munda, the inaugural tribal freedom fighter, emerged as a pivotal figure in India’s quest for tribal identities and rights against British rule. His visionary leadership played a crucial role in liberating his community from the persistent dominance imposed by exploitative British policies and atrocities. In contrast, the verbal and physical attacks reflected the rising consciousness of a distinctive identity among the Mundas of the Chhotanagpur plateau and other tribal communities, grappling with continuous assaults from external forces, including Christian missionaries. Born on a Thursday, Birsa Munda grew up witnessing the hardships of his community under British rule, and his name was bestowed in accordance with the cultural and traditional practices of the Munda tribes.

Birsa Munda Picture

Birsa Munda Young Age Picture

Family

Birsa’s family, consisting of his father, mother Karmi Hatu, and younger brother Pasna Munda, departed from Ulihatu and journeyed to Kurumbda near Birbanki in pursuit of employment opportunities as laborers (sajhedari) or crop-sharers (ryots). During their time in Kurumbda, Birsa’s elder brother Komta and his sister Daskir were born. Subsequently, the family relocated to Bamba, where Birsa’s elder sister Champa came into the world.

Age

Birsa Munda, born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu near Ranchi, was a celebrated freedom fighter and tribal leader from Jharkhand, India. As of today, he would be 148 years old.

Death

Birsa Munda, a youthful tribal freedom fighter, was apprehended by the British on March 3, 1900, and met a premature demise at the age of 25 in the Ranchi jail on June 9, 1900. Although his untimely death marked a substantial setback for the tribal resistance movement in Jharkhand, his legacy endures as a symbol of resistance against British rule, keeping his memory alive in India.

Education

Birsa pursued his education in Salga under the tutelage of his teacher, Jaipal Nag. Subsequently, he opted to join the German Mission School and converted to Christianity. However, he abandoned his studies upon discovering the British intention to convert tribals to Christianity through education. After leaving school, Birsa Munda founded a faith called Birsait. The spirit of independence embodied by Birsa Munda’s struggle inspires Ulgulan, the annual college festival of the National University of Study and Research in Law in Ranchi.

Height and Weight

He stood at a height of 5 feet 8 inches and had a weight of 60 kilograms.

Legacy

During a meeting on November 10, 2021, the Union Cabinet decided to commemorate Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, November 15, as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honor the contributions of the tribal independence activist. While residing near the village of Sankara in Singhbhum, he encountered a potential life partner but ended the relationship due to infidelity. Birsa declined marriage proposals from two other women, the daughter of Mathura Muda of Koensar and the wife of Jaga Munda of Jiuri.

Arrested on March 3, 1900, along with his tribal guerrilla army in the Jamkopai forest, Chakradharpur, Birsa Munda’s official commemoration occurs at his mausoleum in the Kokar neighborhood of Ranchi, Jharkhand’s capital. On June 9, 1900, he passed away at the age of 25 in Ranchi Jail, where he was held. The British government attributed his death to cholera, despite the absence of symptoms, sparking rumors of possible poisoning.

The proposed Statue of Ulgulan, a 150-foot-tall statue of Birsa Munda in Jharkhand, is intended to be constructed using stones collected from households in the region. Several institutions, colleges, and places have been named in honor of Birsa Munda, such as Birsa Institute of Technology, Birsa Agricultural University, Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, and Birsa Munda Airport. Renowned Tamil director and anti-caste activist Pa. Ranjith is set to direct a Hindi movie based on Birsa Munda’s life, while Gopi Nainar, director of “Aramm,” will direct a Tamil film on the same subject.

Net Worth

Birsa Munda primarily derives his income from revolutionary activities, with an estimated net worth of $10 million.

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